With the rain making a comeback, flood scare has once again returned to haunt the people of Jammu and Kashmir. What is more disturbing is the fact that rain is expected to further intensify by the evening.
Places like Srinagar and Jammu are already witnessing rain since morning, while higher reaches have been experiencing snow. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, situation remains grim as heavy to very heavy rains are expected to lash the hilly state during the next 48 hours.
In a span of last 24 hours till 8:30 am, Kupwara recorded 26.5 mm, Gulmarg 11 mm, Batote 7 mm, Bhaderwah 7.8 mm, Srinagar 3.2 mm, Banihal 3.1 mm, Pahalgam 4 mm, Katra 1.6 mm, Kokernag 1.5 mm and Qazigund 1.1 mm of rain.
As per Skymet, a fresh Western Disturbance is moving across the region, which is causing the weather activity and is expected to give widespread heavy rain over the next 48 hours.
Water levels in Jhelum river that had receded may rise above the danger level once again. Inclement weather is hampering the rescue operations, carried by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army. More teams along with rescue boats and buses are on standby to tackle the situation.
Thousands have already evacuated their houses and have taken refuge in the shelter houses. Scores of people are still stuck in their homes.
Heavy rains have pushed people of Jammu and Kashmir harder into the grip of panic, as incessant rain activity has revived fears of the September 2014 devastating floods that left 250 dead and destroyed thousands of homes.
Recently, central government sanctioned Rs 200 crore as immediate relief, while the state government granted Rs 35 crore.
